“We came from Changchun University of Science and Technology. ITMO University is well known in China and is very authoritative so it was an easy choice. It’s prestigious to study here. Besides, our schools have a long-standing friendship,” said Hao Guannan.
Hao and his fellow students love it that in Russia they can take a different approach to things and experiment in conditions different from those in China. But they also enjoy the traditional side of studies: they like research and technologies in-demand in China, such as florescent spectroscopy. In a few months they will return home to pursue their PhDs and start a teaching career. So far they have no plans to stay in Russia.
“Russian is an important language for research and studies. I’d learn it just to read the works of famous engineers and physicists in the original. I hope that students that follow us will also take advantage of free Russian classes offered by the university,” said Hao Guannan.
In everyday life, the group enjoys cooking traditional Chinese dishes that are a hit with Russian students, even though it’s not easy to find the right ingredients. Their new friends plan to take them out to sample the local renditions of their national favorites.
Shanghai Cooperation Association University unites over 80 universities from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgistan. Universities participate in bilateral exchanges of students and instructors. ITMO University has been hosting master’s students from these countries for six years now. Graduates receive a diploma and a special certificate.